Rattle/knock in engine. Possible starter clutch problem?

[JIMLARCH]

I have done 300 miles since checking the starter clutch and the rattle/knock has not returned. I will be sticking with Castrol 10/40 and staying away from synthetics.

[Beck]

I took the starter clutch body apart and examined it. No cracks in the body and other parts seem in working order. I put everything back and started the bike. It runs fine. It seems as if all my work was for nothing, but at least I know there is nothing wrong with the starter clutch.

I have gone back to Castrol 10-40. I am of the mind that the starter idler gear was the culprit due to the Amsoil synthetic being a very slippery oil, and the starter idler was rattling on idle. Either that or it is the common problem with the 94-97 VFR750, that the cams have a certain amount of end float when the oil is hot, and that causes the rattle.

Whatever it is I am just going to ignore the rattle, should it occur again, and just ride the bike.

IIRC, the camshaft end float caused noise that happened on some (not all had it) 4th gens were more of a ticking noise.......

[slowbird]

I have read this thread throughout and I also came to the conclusion that it's the little idler gear just forward of the Starter Clutch.

I noticed the little knocking noise from the clutch cover before and after a carb-synch and starter clutch replacement.

While doing the Starter Clutch replacement I noticed the play on the gear, and the fact that it spins in the little dowl in the clutch cover makes sense.

I do use Full Synthetic Oil, but I have done several Oil Analysis's and they all come up very good so I'm sticking with it. As long as the knock isn't hurting anything I'm gonna ignore it.